Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:15 pm on 7 January 2020.
I don't think I bear any relationship to Theresa May at all, other than the fact that, as my finance Minister has just pointed out, we're both vicars' daughters, as is she. But we are very, very different vicars' daughters. [Laughter.] Can I just say that—? Listen, I don't know which part of 'We accept that Brexit will happen' you didn't understand, but that's what we've made clear, I think, today.
The fact is that there is a vision for the United Kingdom, but there are also four parts to the United Kingdom and I think it would probably benefit the UK Government to remember that. What is important is that the vision for the United Kingdom isn't focused just on London and the south-east. For the first time now the UK Government, in the shape of the Tory Boris Johnson, is going to have to consider the needs of places where there is still a manufacturing base. So, I am hopeful that the UK Government will move more towards the Welsh position than they have in the past.
It is absolutely wrong to say that there is a deliberate effort at confrontation. I've a very good relationship with Conor Burns, the trade Minister. I'm just saying, 'Can you speed it up a bit because we're running out of time here?' In terms of balancing consumers, producers, of course we've got to get that balance right, but which consumers and which producers? What I'm not willing to see is cheap food be sacrificed for the 58,000 agricultural workers in Wales. That's a balance that we have got to discuss. I don't want to see that sacrificed. As a vicar's daughter I'm allowed to use these kinds of images on the altar of the city of London, so I think it's really important that we get all of this and we try and work together for the good of the country. It's in all our interests. If this is going to happen, let's make it the best deal possible for the people not just of Wales, but for the United Kingdom.